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Tag: kano state

  • Auto crash: NFF, NWF  commiserate with Kano over death of athletes

    Auto crash: NFF, NWF  commiserate with Kano over death of athletes

    The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed grave sorrow and grief over the death on Saturday of 22 Kano State athletes who lost their lives in an auto crash on their way from the 22nd  National Sports Festival in Ogun State.

     “The Nigeria Football Federation and the entire Nigeria football family are in a period of mourning over the demise of these athletes in such tragic circumstances. We mourn deeply with the Kano State Government and all the good and great people of Kano State, on this sad incident” President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau said.

    The athletes died 50 kilometres to the city of Kano when their vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a river.

    “Our hearts are with their families, friends, loved ones and associates. We pray that the Almighty Allah will grant them eternal rest, and also comfort those they have left behind, as well as the Kano State Government and the people of Kano State in general.”

    In the same vein, Nigeria Wrestling Federation (NWF)  has  equally commiserated  with the Government of Kano State, Nigerian sports community, and the families of the deceased.

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    The Wrestling Federation, in a statement signed by its President, Honourable Daniel Igali, described as a national  tragedy

    “It is with great sadness that we send our heartfelt condolences to the Kano State Government, the sports fraternity in the state and the entire country for this great loss of lives.”

    “We must absolutely give all the support necessary to the victims’ loved ones because this is devastating”

    “Kano is in mourning, likewise the sports family across the country, and we pray Almighty God gives the family the strength to bear this because this is urge,” NWF noted.

  • Yusuf okays N15.6 billion gratuities for 3,000 ex-political holders

    Yusuf okays N15.6 billion gratuities for 3,000 ex-political holders

    Kano state governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the sum of ₦15.6 billion for the settlement of outstanding severance gratuities owed to over 3,000 former councillors from the 44 local government councils of the state.

    The fund is for councillors who served from 2014-2017, 2018-2020, and 2021-2024.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on Information, Ibrahim Adam, indicated that the funds will be disbursed in three tranches across April, May and June.

    Adam said the former councillors were members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who served under the immediate past administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, during which their entitlements, including accommodation and leave/recess allowances, were not paid.

    “The outstanding payments have caused considerable frustration among the affected ex-council members.

    “Governor Abba Yusuf, though elected on a different political platform (NNPP), has taken the initiative to settle their entitlements.

    “This approval of ₦15.6 billion is a fulfillment of Governor Abba Yusuf’s promise to ensure that all outstanding entitlements owed to our dedicated public servants are settled.

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    “It is our duty to uphold the dignity of those who serve in elected positions, a departure from previous administrative practices,” Adam stated, highlighting the administration’s commitment to addressing the plight of the people of Kano.

    He further emphasised that the financial intervention is a step towards fostering trust and accountability in governance.

    “His Excellency, a true democrat, recognises the sacrifices made by these councillors during their service periods. It is time to right the wrongs of the past, and the government is determined to make this happen.

    “This intervention will provide the much-needed support to the over 3,000 persons who have long awaited their rightful entitlements. The financial relief will enhance their well-being and as well impact on their various communities,” Adam added.

  • Pantami endorses young Kano inventor’s smart innovations

    Pantami endorses young Kano inventor’s smart innovations

    A 19-year-old tech prodigy from Sharada, Kano State, Khalifa Aminu, has developed groundbreaking innovations aimed at improving the lives of visually impaired individuals and enhancing mineral detection technology.

    Khalifa designed a smart device that assists the visually impaired by alerting them to obstacles through a buzzer system, enabling safer navigation and independent mobility.

    He also pioneered a start-up focused on the detection of mineral resources and underground objects, a solution that holds significant promise for industries such as mining and construction.

    Accompanied by his father, Khalifa visited former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, in Abuja to present his innovations and seek mentorship.

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    During the meeting, Pantami, a professor of cybersecurity, commending his creativity and determination. He pledged his support for Khalifa’s initiatives, offering valuable guidance on scaling and refining his solutions.

    Pantami, who is renowned for his advocacy of youth empowerment through technology, advised Khalifa to remain committed to innovations that serve humanity.

    The scholar emphasized the importance of developing technologies that not only address societal challenges but also create employment opportunities and drive economic growth.

    The visit was facilitated by Salisu Abdurrazzaq Sahel, one of Professor Pantami’s young mentees, who led the team that introduced Khalifa to the tech luminary.

    Professor Pantami continues to inspire young Nigerians to become problem solvers, solution providers, and job creators by leveraging innovation and digital technology.

  • Kano police arrest 157 suspects, recover weapons, drugs in four-week crackdown

    Kano police arrest 157 suspects, recover weapons, drugs in four-week crackdown

    The Kano State Police Command has arrested 157 criminal suspects in connection with various offences over the last four weeks, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori announced on Wednesday.

    The arrests include 24 suspected armed robbers, 14 drug dealers, seven motor vehicle thieves, five motorcycle thieves, 28 general thieves, and 79 suspected thugs, popularly known as Yan Daba.

    Recovered during the operations were two English pistols, 19 fabricated revolver rifles, a locally made pistol, 117 live cartridges, six expended cartridges, and 11 live rounds of ammunition. Also seized were 57 cutlasses, 71 sharp knives, 15 metal rods (Dan Bida), seven scissors, two axes, and a bow, among other weapons.

    In addition to the weapons, police also recovered two stolen vehicles, two tricycles, three motorcycles, tramadol tablets valued at N150 million, six cartons of Ampicillin, 22 bottles of “suck and die,” and 69 sachets and 260 pieces of Exol tablets.

    Commissioner Bakori, who assumed office on March 17, said he was briefed on the security challenges facing the state and deemed it critical to tackle the growing threat of violent crimes, armed robbery, drug abuse (Kwaya), and gang-related activities (Fadan Daba).

    “Over the past four weeks, the Command intensified intelligence-led joint operations, round-the-clock visibility patrols and initiated strategic partnerships with community members.

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    “The proactive and collaborative efforts are yielding positive results and of the successes recorded are the breakthroughs that led to the dismantling of criminal networks that specialized in smuggling of firearms into the state.

    “In order to ensure peace continue to prevail in the State, we have planned to conduct series of community-based

    engagements and intelligence-led operations at strategic locations in the State with a view to prevent crimes andmaintain law and order,” Bakori said encouraged residents to always cooperate with the police.

  • Appeal Court reserves judgment in dispute over Kano’s electoral body’s composition

    Appeal Court reserves judgment in dispute over Kano’s electoral body’s composition

    The Kano division of the Court of Appeal, which sat in Abuja on Tuesday has reserved judgments in five appeals against two decisions of the Federal High Court in Kano, which among others, voided the composition of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).

    A three-member panel of the appellate court, presided over by Justice Georgewill Ekanem, announced,after hearing the appeals, that the date for judgment would be communicated to parties.

    The appeals are: CA/KN/20/2025 filed by KANSIEC, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and four others as respondents; CA/KN/233/2024 by Kano State House of Assembly and another, with Honourable Aminu Aliyu Tiga and 14 others listed as respondents.

    The other appeals are: CA/KN/290/2024 by Attorney General of Kano State and six others, with All Progressives Congress (APC) and three others listed as respondents; CA/KN/291/2024 by KANSIEC and eight others, with Kano State House of Assembly and six others as respondents.

    The judgments appealed against are those delivered on October 22 and 24, 2024 by Justice Simon Ameboda of the Federal High Court in Kano.

    In the October 22 judgment, Justice Ameboda restrained the KANSIEC from proceeding with the Local Government elections earlier planned for October 26, 2024.

    The judge also voided the composition of the KANSIEC on the grounds that those appointed were not qualified. The judgment was on the suit filed by Aminu Aliyu Tiga and the APC.

    Justice Ameboda found that the appointed members of KANSIEC were involved in partisan politics as members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), which violates sections 197(1)(b) and 200(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution, as well as Section 4 of the KANSIEC Law 2001.

    The judge equally found that the chairman of KANSIEC, Professor Sani Lawal Malumfashi and other members – Muktar Garba Dandago, Isyaku Ibrahim Kunya, Kabiru Jibrin Zakirai and Amina Inuwa Fagge – are card-carrying members of the NNPP.

    Justice Ameboda held that their being members of a political party was unlawful and made them ineligible to serve on the electoral commission.

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    the judge also held that the commission’s secretary, Anas Muhammad Mustapha, was unqualified for his position as he was not a Kano State civil servant of director-level rank prior to his appointment, a requirement under Section 14 of the KANSIEC Law 2001.

    He proceeded to disqualify all members of the commission and ordered their removal from office with immediate effect.

    Justice Ameboda declared that any preparations made by KANSIEC for the 2024 local government elections, including the issuance of election guidelines, candidate screening, and the sale of nomination forms, were null and void.

    He also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withhold election materials from KANSIEC and to retrieve any already provided, such as voter registers, until a properly constituted commission is in place.

    The judge directed the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) not to participate in or monitor the local government elections until KANSIEC is reconstituted in accordance with sections 197(1), 199(2), 200(1)(b) of the constitution and sections 4 and 14 of the KANSIEC Law 2001.

  • Police Ban all Durbar activities amid emirship tussle

    Police Ban all Durbar activities amid emirship tussle

    The Kano State Police Command has banned all Sallah Durbar celebrations ahead of the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr festivities, citing security concerns and the need to prevent potential unrest.

    The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, announced the decision on Friday while addressing journalists at the Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano.

    He stated that intelligence reports revealed plans by certain groups to use the Durbar to create instability.

    “In pursuit of a safe and secure celebration, and to maintain peace and public order, the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, has assessed the rising tensions and uncertainties surrounding the Durbar activities,” CP Bakori said.

    “Following credible intelligence reports about plans to use the Durbar as a proxy for unrest, a ban has been placed on all Durbar activities throughout the state during the 2025 Eid-El-Fitr Sallah celebrations.”

    The Police Commissioner emphasised that the decision was taken after extensive consultations with the Kano State Government and other key stakeholders.

    The police command has urged worshippers to conduct their Eid prayers only at designated prayer grounds and to adhere to security guidelines.

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    Some of the restrictions in place outlined by CP Bakori include worshippers should avoid carrying unnecessary objects that may cause suspicion; no horse riding (Kilisa), car racing, or reckless driving will be allowed, and parents and guardians must caution their children against involvement in disruptive activities.

    CP Bakori warned that Kano residents caught violating these directives would face legal consequences that the police had deployed adequate security personnel to ensure a peaceful Sallah celebration. He urged the public to remain law-abiding and prioritise peace during the festivities.

    “As we celebrate this joyous occasion, let us prioritise peace above all else, set aside our differences, and unite as law-abiding citizens for the progress of our state and nation,” he urged.

    The 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Bayero had on Wednesday announced the cancellation of the Eid-el-Fitr Durbar apparently because of security concerns following a Federal High Court judgment that nullified the reinstatement of his rival and former CBN governor, Emir Muhammad Sanusi.

  • Kano approves N3.4 billion for projects, key policy decisions

    Kano approves N3.4 billion for projects, key policy decisions

    Kano State government is to spend about N3.4 billion on projects and key policy decisions, Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has disclosed.

    Waiya said the approval was given at the 25th State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, following deliberation on critical governance matters.

    During the meeting, the Executive Council approved a total of N3,398,144,284.04 for various infrastructural, health, education, and social welfare projects, Waiya said.

    Among the major approvals is N148.9 million for the maintenance of the School of Technology road network, alongside an additional N367.9 million advance payment for the expansion of Zaria Road.

    “To improve the state’s electrical infrastructure, the Council approved N612.4 million for converting external electrical systems to an underground network at Government House and relocating power lines along Ahmadu Bello Way.

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    “In the health sector, N184 million has been earmarked for the procurement of ambulances for Government House Clinic and Nuhu Bamalli Maternity Hospital, while N195 million has been allocated as counterpart funding for the Free Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health, as well as Free Accident and Emergency programmes.

    “Furthermore, N348.2 million has been approved for the settlement of electricity bills owed to the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) for November and December 2024.

    “The government remains committed to education and student welfare, as reflected in the approval of N662.5 million for the feeding of boarding school students for the third, fourth, and fifth weeks of the current academic term.

    “Additionally, in a move to address environmental challenges, the Council has allocated N642.5 million as compensation under the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) at the Bulbula/Gayawa Erosion Site.

  • Four feared dead as residents resist demolition in Kano

    Four feared dead as residents resist demolition in Kano

    No fewer than four persons reportedly died in Rimin Auzinawa, Ungogo Local Government Area of Kano State following a clash between residents of the area and security operatives during a demolition exercise.

    Police spokesman, Abdullahi Kiyawa, a Superintendent of Police (SP) confirmed the incident to newsmen.

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kano State command, Ibrahim Abdullahi, also confirmed the incident.

    Eyewitnesses said security personnel allegedly opened fire after residents were resisting the destruction of their buildings.

    “Four persons were shot dead, while others suffered gun injuries,” a source said.

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    It was gathered the Kano Urban Planning and Development Authority had marked about 40 buildings, mostly residential buildings which are under construction, for demolition.

    The disputed land belongs to Bayero University, Kano, it was learnt.

    KNUPDA has not issued an official response on the tragic incident as at press time.

    Abdullahi said the representatives of the police, DSS and NSCDC were invited to provide security at the demolition sites which turned bloody.

    He said: “Representatives of the police, DSS and NSCDC were invited to provide security at the buildings that were marked to be demolished.

    “The residents who were not happy about the demolition started stoning the security operatives who reported there.

    “But when the situation degenerated into violence, our people (NSCDC) acted professionally and withdrew tactfully.”

  • Maternal deaths: Kano receives co-creation intervention report

    Maternal deaths: Kano receives co-creation intervention report

    Implementers of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII) led by the National Coordinator, Dr. Dayo Adeyanju, on Saturday presented a co-creation intervention report document to the Kano state government for immediate implementation.

    The report is the outcome of a five-day workshop held in Kano with the purpose of designing a context-specific intervention suite for Kano State MAMII.

    MAMII is an initiative launched by the Bola Tinubu administration to “crash” or eliminate maternal deaths nationwide.

    The workshop enabled Kano State, which tops the chart of maternal deaths in the country, to dive deeply into the key factors.

    The MAMII national coordinator said the report presented focuses on various thematic areas, identifying actions needed at the community level to create financial or physical access to facilities and eradicate maternal mortality.

    According to him, implementing the report’s recommendations and integrating them into the annual operational plan will mobilise resources for timely intervention.

    He said: “This (maternal mortality) has to stop now. Nigerian women die every minute and this is what the President and the Minister of Health do not want to see happening.”

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    Dr. Adeyanju commended the Kano State government for adopting the document, describing it as a major catalyst to crashing maternal mortality.

    “They (Kano officials) have pledged in the presence of all the development partners that they are going to crash maternal deaths to ensure that never in Kano State will pregnancy be a death sentence,” the MAMII national coordinator said.

    The SWAP national coordinator, Dr Ashiru Adamu Abubakar, explained that to understand the major issues about the maternal deaths, the team received all available evidence and visited ten communities in Kano.

    The federal government team also brought experts from Bangladesh and the United States as well as different organisations from across the country to put heads together with the Kano team, Abubakar said.

    The permanent secretary, Ministry of Health, Pharmacist Aminu Bashir, received the document, pledging that the Kano State government will implement the recommendations.

  • Kano withdraws charges against detained protesters

    Kano withdraws charges against detained protesters

    The Kano State government has withdrawn criminal charges filed against protesters who were arrested during last year’s demonstrations.

    The protesters had been accused of conspiracy to commit treason, unlawful assembly, public disturbance, and rioting following nationwide protests last August.

    The 10-day demonstrations were sparked by economic hardship and rising inflation, but violence erupted in some northern states including Kano, where private and public properties were looted and destroyed.

    Some demonstrators were seen waving Russian flags in cities such as Abuja, Kano, and Plateau, adding to tensions.

    According to Amnesty International, at least 24 protesters were killed across the country, and 1,200 were arrested.

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    Last November, Citizens’ Gavel, a civic tech organisation advocating improved justice delivery, petitioned the Kano State Attorney-General to discontinue the prosecution of 13 protesters.

    The organisation highlighted their detention in poor conditions at the Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Correctional Centres in Kano.

    Providing an update on the case in a statement yesterday, the organisation said the Kano AG has ordered the withdrawal of the criminal charges against the protesters.

    “After over 160 days of unlawful detention and tireless efforts of our legal team, we are happy to share that the Attorney-General of Kano State, through the Director of Public Prosecution, has ordered the discontinuance and withdrawal of criminal charges against all #EndBadGovernance protesters detained in Kano State,” the organisation said.